You may have noticed that there’s a huge hole in the Australian Ford lineup. The “Ranger Car Company” as it’s cheekily known as in some circles still sells big numbers in Australia, largely thanks to the Ranger ute and its Everest SUV sibling. But even just five years ago, Ford sold more variety in Australia, including the Escape medium SUV, and it’s the that segment that we think is a sorely missed opportunity for the brand locally. Enter the Bronco Sport, which sold 135,000 units in the USA in 2025 alone.

Not to be confused with the full-size Bronco off-road SUV that shares its platform with the Ranger and Everest, the Bronco Sport is a smaller and less off-road capable medium SUV. But, crucially for those who love the retro styling of the Bronco, it looks a lot like its bigger sibling with shared big round headlights, a boxy body and a tall rear end.

The Bronco Sport also uses a different platform to the Bronco, and uses the same ‘C2’ platform that underpinned the Escape, as well as the last Focus, so it’s quite car-like to drive. In fact, the Escape was one of the best medium SUVs to drive in Australia, as European-developed Ford products have been since the early 2000s when the first Focus went on sale locally.

5

In the United States, the Bronco Sport starts from around US$32,000 (approximately A$47,000 before local taxes and on-road costs at current conversion rates) for the entry-level Big Bend model, rising to around US$42,000 (roughly A$61,000) for the top-spec Badlands variant. If the Bronco Sport were sold locally, it would need to be less expensive than that, but they’re not bad considering how well equipped across the range the Bronco Sport is.

Under the bonnet, the Bronco Sport offers two familiar turbocharged petrol engines from Ford’s ‘EcoBoost’ engine family. Most variants use a 134kW/270Nm turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder, while the off-road-focused Badlands upgrades to a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder producing 186kW of power and and 380Nm of torque.

Both engines are paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive as standard, and while there’s no hybrid system available in the US currently, the 145kW 2.5-litre hybrid from the Maverick ute (which uses the same platform as the Bronco Sport) would likely be an easy fit.

But whereas a lot of the medium SUVs feature very little off-road ability, the Bronco Sport can handle reasonable off-road journeys well. Sure, it’s nowhere near as capable as the full fat Bronco, but it’ll go much further off the beaten track than the majority of its rivals.

The top-spec Bronco Sport Badlands model is particularly impressive because it features a more sophisticated twin-clutch rear-drive unit that actively distributes torque between the rear wheels, upgraded suspension and additional G.O.A.T. (Ford’s ‘Goes Over Any Terrain’ marketing) drive modes. According to reviews, all of that allows the Badlands to tackle surprisingly challenging terrain.

8

As for size, the Bronco Sport is around 30cm shorter than a new-generation Toyota RAV4, measuring 4387mm long, 1887mm wide and between 1783 mm and 1814 mm tall, depending on the model chosen. Its 2670mm long wheelbase is just 20mm shorter than a RAV4 though, so its rear seat space is plentiful, and there’s 920 litres of space behind the rear seats (measured to the roof) and around 1850 litres with the rear seats folded. Both numbers would make it one of the most spacious in the segment locally.

Alas, the Bronco Sport isn’t produced in right-hand drive for the time being, and we think that’s a shame. Sure, the majority of medium SUVs sold will never see anything but a tarmac, but the Bronco Sport appeals to buyers who spend 95 per cent of their time on sealed roads but still want to explore beaches, forest tracks and remote campsites on weekends, like cars such as the Subaru Crosstrek and Forester.

That’s why the Bronco Sport is a missed opportunity for Australia. Local SUV buyers have shown support for outdoors-oriented crossovers. Ford Australia already enjoys huge success with the Ranger and Everest, meaning the Bronco Sport would naturally complement those vehicles, while also attracting customers who don’t necessarily need a full-size four-wheel drive. Importantly too, if ute or large SUV sales start to die, the Bronco Sport would potentially give Ford Australia another volume-selling model to pivot towards.

While enthusiasts would undoubtedly love to see the real Bronco sold locally, to us, the Bronco Sport represents a stronger business case. It delivers much of the spirit of its bigger brother in a package that’s more affordable to buy and better suited to Australia’s love affair with medium SUVs. Because of that, we think that the Bronco Sport could be exactly the vehicle that Ford Australia is missing.

Cupra Australia has announced local pricing and specification for the updated Tavascan electric medium SUV, which will be available locally from the end of August 2026. Headlining the changes to the Tavascan is that it’s now $5500 less expensive thanks to the addition of a new entry-level V model, but the whole range has seen improvements with more tech and added user-friendliness inside.

The new entry-level Tavascan V is priced from $55,490 plus on-road costs, which is $5500 less than the previous entry point to the range. Unlike the now-mid-spec Endurance, which uses a 210kW motor and 77kWh battery, the V instead uses a 140kW motor that’s still located on the rear wheels and paired with a smaller 58kWh LFP battery.

According to Cupra, the Tavascan V can travel up to 414km on a full charge (WLTP), which is 106km less than the Endurance, while it can be DC fast charged at up to 105kW for a claimed 10-80 per cent charge time of as little as 26 minutes.

3

Despite being the new entry-level model, Cupra says that the new Tavascan V is still quite well equipped and includes the contents of the former Interior Package that used to be optionally available on the Endurance, which includes ‘Dinamica’ upholstery, front seats with heating and memory functionality, Sennheiser premium audio, a 360-degree camera and 20-inch alloy wheels.

In addition to the new model, inside the Tavascan are a number of changes, including a larger 10.25-inch digital driver’s display replacing the former 5.3-inch unit, new physical buttons on the steering wheel replacing the former haptic touch items, a redesigned wireless phone charger housing, newly-electric air vent controls and new traffic sign recognition.

Also according to Cupra, numerous software refinements have also been introduced throughout the Tavascan, including updates to infotainment functionality and audio system performance.

2

The Tavascan Endurance continues as before, though it now receives the former Interior Package and new launch control as standard. As a result, its pricing has climbed by $5500 to $66,490 plus on-road costs.

At the top of the range, the 250kW dual-motor all-wheel drive VZ also continues unchanged, though thanks to the upgrades inside, it’s now priced $1000 higher at $75,490 plus on-road costs.

2026 Cupra Tavascan pricing (excluding on-road costs):

The updated Cupra Tavascan will hit local Cupra dealerships starting from late August 2026.

Hyundai has revealed a more luxurious version of its Inster electric small SUV, which is called the Lounge. Stealing the Lounge name from its larger Staria MPV sibling, the Inster Lounge adds more unique features above regular Inster models like half-leather upholstery, 17-inch alloy wheels and unique colour scheme including silver body cladding on the outside. Australian sales are yet to be announced.

So far only available in Europe and its South Korean home market – where it’s named Casper – the Inster Lounge adds a number of unique features to emphasise its top position in the Inster range, including a new design of 17-inch alloy wheel, silver body cladding and a new ‘Mint Glow’ exterior colour seen in these press photos.

Other available exterior colours include ‘Atlas White’, ‘Unbleached Ivory’, ‘Tomboy Khaki’ and ‘Abyss Black Pearl’.

3

Inside, the Inster Lounge adds a grey and mint colour theme with ‘natural’ leather and cloth seat upholstery, a premium sound system with Kevlar membranes and a knitted headliner and sun visors.

That’s on top of the features already offered in the Inster, including dual 10.25-inch displays, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, automatic climate control and heated front seats.

In Europe, Inster Lounge buyers get the choice of either 42kWh standard range or larger 49kWh extended range batteries, the former with a WLTP range of 303km and the latter 360km.

3

The smaller battery uses a 71kW/147Nm electric motor and the larger a more powerful 85kW/147Nm motor, while DC fast charging allows for a 10-80 per cent charge time of around 30 minutes.

Australian sales prospects for the Inster Lounge are yet to be confirmed, but locally, pricing from $39,990 plus on-road costs. A special manufacturer deal sees the base Inster currently priced from $38,990 driveaway, a discount of approximately $4343, according to Hyundai Australia.

TAG Heuer has expanded its long-running partnership with Gulf Oil by unveiling a new limited-edition Formula 1 Automatic Chronograph inspired by one of motorsport’s most famous racing liveries.

Limited to 1000 examples worldwide, the new TAG Heuer Formula 1 Automatic Chronograph x Gulf is the fourth collaborative watch produced by the Swiss watchmaker and the fuel company, drawing on the blue-and-orange colours that became synonymous with endurance racing during the 1960s and 1970s.

The distinctive Gulf livery gained worldwide recognition through competition at events such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans before becoming a pop culture icon thanks to Steve McQueen’s 1971 film Le Mans.

2

The new timepiece incorporates those colours throughout its design, with blue and orange stripes running across a black opaline dial framed by a blue outer track. Three chronograph sub-dials feature matching coloured hands, while skeletonised hour and minute hands are paired with luminescent markers to improve legibility.

The 44mm case is constructed from Grade 2 sandblasted titanium and fitted with a forged carbon tachymeter bezel, reflecting materials commonly associated with modern motorsport. Orange detailing on the crown and a coloured ring beneath the bezel continue the racing-inspired theme.

Power comes from TAG Heuer’s Calibre 16 automatic chronograph movement, while the watch is water resistant to 200 metres. A sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating protects the dial, and a screw-down titanium caseback carries an engraved Gulf logo identifying the special edition.

Completing the package is a matching sandblasted titanium bracelet with a folding clasp and micro-adjustment extension, while each watch is presented in dedicated Gulf-themed packaging.

1

TAG Heuer has maintained close ties with motorsport for decades, serving as an official timekeeper for numerous racing categories and recently returning as Formula One’s official timekeeper. Gulf, meanwhile, remains one of the sport’s most recognisable brands through its historic association with endurance racing and iconic machinery including the Ford GT40 and Porsche 917.

The Formula 1 Automatic Chronograph x Gulf continues that shared motorsport heritage, combining contemporary materials and mechanical engineering with one of racing’s most enduring visual identities in a strictly limited production run.

From a company such as McLaren, hearing that its new model is the most powerful and quickest the company has ever produced is a surprise. Given the Woking-based marque’s back catalogue, the new W1 — the successor to the wild P1 and its iconic F1 predecessor — must be something special.

Like its P1 direct predecessor, the new W1 is a hybrid hypercar with all the grunt going to the rear wheels alone. Its total electric and motor and petrol engine combined outputs are massive at 938kW and 1,340Nm of torque. For comparison, the P1 produced “only” 664kW and 900Nm and both cars weigh almost exactly the same at just under 1,400kg dry.

Located in the middle of the W1 is an all-new twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 engine, which is 13kg lighter and 40mm shorter than the previous V8 (which is still used in the 750S). It features larger turbochargers than its predecessor, as well as both direct and port injection so that it can rev higher than before. Without any electrification, the engine produces a huge 680kW of power and 900Nm of torque.

6

Yet, behind the engine is an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox and alongside is a radial flux e-motor. Drawing power from small a 1.4kWh battery — smaller than the hybrid battery you’d find on something like a Toyota RAV4 — this electric motor adds another 250kW of power and 440Nm of torque into the mix.

The W1 is capable of running as an EV, and mostly when reversing, but the range is a small 2.6km because of the small size of the battery. McLaren says that it’s just enough to get you away from your house in the morning without waking anybody up, but not much more.

However, zero emissions motoring is not what this hybrid is about, instead, it’s about going incredibly quickly. The claimed acceleration figures begin with 0-100km/h in just 2.7 seconds, which is obviously quite quick, but it’s not exceptional these days and that’s because the grunt reaches the tarmac solely through the 335-section rear tyres. Indeed, many of the W1’s rivals, like the Ferrari F80, get better traction by using all four wheels — the F80, for example, hits 100km/h in just 2.15 seconds. 

Not that the other performance figures are anything less than mightily impressive: It hits 200km/h in just 5.8 seconds and 0-300km/h dash is completed in just 12.7 seconds, both of which are both phenomenal and put it on a par with the extreme Aston Martin Valkyrie.

4

But the W1 has the corners covered as well, because its race mode drops the ride height and extends the rear wing to increase the downforce to a massive 1000kg, while the active rear wing also acts as an air brake and can drop into a drag reduction mode when necessary. It was immediately clear through the high speed sections of the Mugello Circuit in Italy that the W1 was launched on that it feels incredibly stable and confidence inspiring at high speed. 

The W1’s braking system also gives its driver huge confidence. McLaren has always been known for superb brake feel and the W1 is no different. However, its new carbon discs have an extra layer of ceramic coating on them to increase durability, and they allow for more aggressive brake pads for extra stopping performance. On the launch event, we were hitting over 325km/h before braking at the 200 metre board going into the first corner. 325km/h to around 70km/h in under 200 metres is incredible.

The W1’s wheelbase is 70mm shorter than in the P1’s and as a result, it feels more agile, especially through tighter corners. Its selectable drive modes are chosen with the rocker switches on the instrument binnacle and if you put the car in Sport for both the Handling and Powertrain, you have a hypercar that is incredibly involving and also very characterful. The steering remains hydraulically power-assisted and as a result, you get superb feel and feedback. 

3

But the W1 isn’t just impressive on the track. Put it into comfort mode and it will happily tackle whatever everyday life can throw at it. In this mode, the e-motor is reduced to smoothing out gear changes and it’s very quiet at low revs. Around town, there is a nose lift function for any particularly steep speed bumps, and although the ride is firm, it’s still quite comfortable.

Inside is well featured with Apple CarPlay, colour-adjustable ambient lighting and the most illustrious feature for a hypercar: Somewhere for a coffee cup. Storage is covered with a couple of holes around the cabin and there’s also 118 litres of luggage space behind the headrests.

The new anhedral doors that are hinged from the roof greatly help entry and exiting the W1. The doors themselves are a work of art and really show how the air must move out of the front wheel races and down the side of the car. Once inside, you find yourself in a seat that is fixed to the bulkhead and a pedal box and steering column that move to accommodate the driver.

4

Starting the W1 is very cool too: Select reverse or put the (small) windows down and look up as the buttons are on the roof. Very jet fighter.

Sometimes, you get a hypercar that can feel skewed towards one specialty or area of expertise, perhaps to please certain owner groups. But the McLaren W1 is different, because it feels like it was built to cover everything. It’s fantastically well-rounded and capable of adapting to a huge range of situations — it feels at home doing 325km/h on a race track as it does pottering around your local village using its electric power. If you were only going to have one hypercar to do it all, this might just be the one. 

McLaren W1 specifications:

MG has expanded its growing ute range with the launch of the MGU9 Black Edition, a limited-production variant that introduces a darker exterior treatment and additional equipment to the diesel-powered line-up.

Available in Australia from today and priced from $57,990 drive-away, the Black Edition sits between the MGU9 Explore X and Explore Pro grades, with Australia becoming the first market to receive the new model.

The special edition arrives eight months after MG entered Australia’s highly competitive dual-cab ute segment with the MGU9 and follows its public debut at the Melbourne Motor Show earlier this year alongside the battery-electric MGU9 EV, which is due to join the range at a later date.

1

The Black Edition is distinguished by a series of black exterior details, including the grille, MG badging, wheel centre caps and side trim, along with a stamped tailgate design. Inside, it gains a black headliner and matching interior trim while retaining the high equipment level offered across the MGU9 range.

Under the bonnet is the same 2.5-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission and four-wheel drive with front, centre and rear differential locks.

The ute retains a 3.5-tonne braked towing capacity, while MG has added a new Towing Cruise Control function designed to improve convenience when towing trailers, caravans or boats.

Other standard features include 18-inch all-terrain alloy wheels, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, multi-link independent rear suspension and MG’s powered tailgate, which lowers electronically to reveal an integrated access step.

The launch reflects the growing diversity of Australia’s ute market, where buyers are increasingly seeking higher levels of comfort, technology and styling alongside traditional workhorse capability.

3

MG says the Black Edition complements its existing diesel range, which now comprises the Explore, Explore X, Black Edition and Explore Pro, while an electric MGU9 will further broaden customer choice when it arrives.

The MGU9 line-up is priced from $52,990 drive-away for the entry-level Explore, rising to $60,990 drive-away for the range-topping Explore Pro.

Like the rest of MG’s Australian line-up, the MGU9 Black Edition is covered by the brand’s seven-year warranty when serviced through the manufacturer’s dealer network.

Pricing

Mazda Australia has been buoyed by the early success of its forthcoming CX-6e electric SUV which, it said, has attracted a cohort of new customers to the brand.

Speaking to Whichcar by Wheels at the launch of its all-new Mazda 6e electric sedan, the Japanese brand’s managing director for Australia, Vinesh Bhindi, revealed the company was already holding healthy orders for its new electric mid-size SUV.

1

“I think we are at about the 1500 mark,” Bhindi said. “The CX-6e is still a few months away. But when you compare it to the 6e (electric sedan), the time it’s been out there is different, it’s not comparable.

“The other difference that we’ve seen is the 6e has [around] 50 per cent new and 50 per cent existing Mazda [customers]. But the CX-6e appears to have more [customers] new to the brand at this early stage.”

The Mazda CX-6e electric medium SUV will launch in Australia in September, with deliveries to commence shortly after. Sharing its platform with the just launched Mazda 6e sedan, the Chinese-built CX-6e starting price of $53,990 before on-road costs undercuts segment leaders like the Tesla Model Y, BYD Sealion 7 and Zeekr 7X.

1

Mazda’s newest electric SUV utilises the same 78kWh battery and 190kW/290NM rear-mounted electric motor from its newly-launched sedan counterpart. The CX-6e’s WLTP tested driving range is a claimed 484km, which trumps its main entry-level rivals such as the BYD Sealion 7 (482km), Zeeker 7X (480km) and Tesla Model Y (466km).

Hyundai Australia has announced that it’s adding a new turbocharged petrol hybrid drivetrain to its Staria Lounge people carrier and Staria Load van ranges. Available to order now, the new hybrid drivetrain is the same 1.6-litre turbo-petrol hybrid found in other Hyundai models like the Santa Fe and Tucson, albeit tuned differently. Only available in select models, pricing for the Load hybrid starts at $53,490 plus on-road costs and the Lounge hybrid $73,740+ORC, the latter of which has not yet been available in Australian but has been overseas.

As announced earlier this year when petrol and diesel variants went on sale, the Staria and Staria Load received light exterior and interior refreshments. The front grille and headlights were refreshed, new wheel designed fitted and the interior received a new 12.3-inch touchscreen, new steering wheel and a new 12.3-inch digital driver’s display.

Making 180kW of power and 304Nm of torque and mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, the new hybrid variants of the Staria and Staria Load ranges promise improved performance and fuel efficiency compared to the 200kW petrol V6 and 130kW four-cylinder turbo-diesel drivetrains already available.

3

Rated at 6.5L/100km on the combined fuel consumption cycle, new hybrid variants of the Staria consume minimum 0.5L/100km less fuel (on the Load, but the minimum difference is 0.7L/100km in the compared to the people carrier diesel and a full 4L/100km less than the petrol V6), but also give stronger overall performance.

The new hybrid drivetrain is only available in the Staria Lounge in the MPV lineup, with no entry-level Staria hybrid on offer, though it is available in both Staria Load and Load Premium van variants. A 160kW electric powertrain with an 84kWh battery will be offered in the Staria Load in the second half of 2026.

Compared with the regular Staria people mover, the Lounge adds two chairs in the second row with electric adjustment, heating and ventilation, Nappa leather upholstery in black, burgundy or beige colouring, an acoustic laminated windshield and front door glass to reduce wind noise, privacy side glass, satin chrome door handles, door scuffs, unique 18-inch alloy wheels, ambient mood lighting, sat-nav and a suede-finished headliner and pillars.

3

“With an advanced hybrid powertrain, the 2027 Staria line-up gives customers more choice than ever, combining strong efficiency with the practicality and versatility that families and businesses already value in Staria,” said Hyundai Motor Company Australia Chief Operating Officer, Gavin Donaldson.

“The introduction of the flagship seven-seater 2027 Staria Lounge further broadens the appeal of the range, while Staria Load Premium delivers a fully featured package with the flexibility and carrying capability our commercial customers count on,” he said.

2026 Hyundai Staria pricing (excluding on-road costs):

• Load diesel: $49,990 (+$2250)
• Load hybrid: $53,490 (new)
• MPV diesel or V6: $53,400 (+$3800 for the V6, +$800 for the diesel)
• Load Premium hybrid: $61,240 (+$8500 compared to previous Load Premium diesel)
• MPV Lounge hybrid: $73,740 (new)
• Load electric: $TBC

The updated Hyundai Staria and Staria Load ranges are now available to order ahead of imminent local deliveries. Stay tuned to WhichCar for our first drive reviews of both, coming soon.

Slate Auto, an American company backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has revealed its first production model called the Blank Slate. Launched as a bargain basement electric ute that’s highly configurable to even turn it into an SUV, its starting price in the US is just $24,950 (A$36,200 at current exchange rates) or only US$400 more than an entry-level Mazda3 in that market. It’s due to go on sale in the US later in 2026, and the company claims that it’s holding over 180,000 refundable deposits from potential customers.

Originally revealed as a near-production prototype in early 2025, the production variants of the Blank Slate and its Squareback SUV sibling have finally been revealed and look almost identical to the original concepts.

Measuring 4430mm long, 1790mm wide, 1730mm tall and riding on a 2770mm long wheelbase, the Blank Slate is much smaller than other utes on sale in the US, and is actually the exact same length as an MG ZS small SUV. In fact, it’s even smaller than the 5072mm long Ford Maverick, which is one of the smallest utes available in North America.

6

Under their bodies is a 63kWh lithium-ion battery that’s good for an estimated driving range of 330km, which feeds a 135kW/264Nm motor driving the rear wheels, which is enough performance for a claimed 0-97km/h (0-60mph) sprint time of around eight seconds and a top speed of 90mph (145km/h).

As for charging speeds, DC fast charging at up to 120kW is available, as well as AC up to 11kW, for a claimed 20-80 per cent charge in as little as half an hour. The Truck’s payload rating is 703kg and its towing capacity is 907kg, which are lessened to 573kg and 807kg respectively in the Squareback.

With its capability covered, the Blank Slate is notable for its lack of standard features and how it’s — literally — a blank slate for owners to customise to their needs. Thanks to US safety standards, features like six airbags, traction- and stability control, autonomous emergency braking with forward collision warning and pedestrian detection, automatic high beam and a reversing camera must be standard, but beyond those, cruise control, manual air-conditioning and remote central locking, the Slate is bare bones to keep costs down.

The Slate’s windows are manual and there’s no audio system as standard, nor any form of infotainment system, just a dock for a smartphone and basic driver’s display with the speedometer and range until empty.

But as mentioned, Slate buyers can customise and add many features, including an audio system to connect to a phone via Bluetooth, LED daytime running lights, alloy wheels up to 20-inches in size, a lift kit, new bumpers, decals, exterior wraps, more colourful interior parts, roof racks and even tonneau covers.

7

Plus, buyers don’t have to customise their Slate at the time of purchase as all of these features are available to purchase after they take delivery. Therefore, buyers who choose the Blank Slate can order the parts to turn it into the Squareback later on if they need SUV-like practicality down the line. All the optional extras for the Slate range are listed with self-install ratings of beginner, medium or advanced.

Like companies such as Tesla, Slate will use a direct sales model and as such, there will be no Slate dealerships. However, Slates will be able to be serviced through US service franchise RepairPal, of which there are more than 3000 locations across the US. As for warranty, the battery and drivetrain are covered by a 10-year/110,000 mile (177,000km) warranty, though it’s not known how long the warranty for the rest of the car is.

The Slate Truck and SUV are due to go on sale in the US from later this year.

Hyundai is set to discontinue the i30 hatchback globally with no direct successor planned as demand for petrol-powered small hatchbacks continues to fall. Already off sale in Australia — in non-N Performance spec — and markets like New Zealand and the UK, the i30 hatchback is still sold in many European markets but for how long is not known.

Asked about plans for the i30’s future Hyundai’s Europe CEO Xavier Martinet hinted to British publication Autocar that no fourth-generation i30 is in the brand’s plans.

“There might be a reason why we don’t talk much about it,” he said of the i30. “The problem is that in this segment the demand is not growing, and it’s also a vehicle that historically was mostly a fleet vehicle, on which the profit is not so high.”

4

“The small proportion of retail sales was not enough to compensate for the low-profit fleet sales, he added, because “the price was lower, so the profits [were as well]. When you put everything together, the business case is not extremely compelling.”

While some brands like Toyota and Volkswagen still feature big-selling ICE hatchbacks in their lineups like the Corolla and Golf respectively, Hyundai is hardly alone in killing off its own, with models like the Ford Focus, Renault Megane, Nissan Pulsar and Mitsubishi Lancer no longer in production thanks to the rise of the SUV. In fact, most of those models were replaced by small SUV models, like the Nissan Qashqai.

Hyundai could take a similar route as it looks to fill the gap left by the i30, Martinet suggested to Autocar: “We might still have some answers coming, but it might be a different answer to the one we’ve got so far.

“I might be a bit cryptic in my answer, but at some point in time we have to know when to stop and how to do the next generation – this is one of the question marks we have.”

4

One such answer might be the recently-revealed Ioniq 3, which is a similar size to the i30 but is powered by electricity. Another answer might be the new Avante, which was revealed over the weekend in South Korean market Avante form, but will also sold in markets like North America as the Elantra. The Elantra hasn’t been sold in most European markets for over two decades and in Europe, the Avante could be called i30 Sedan like it will be in Australia.

Production for Australian-spec i30 hatchbacks continues for now only in high-performance N spec at the brand’s Czech plant, with non-N models only sold from available stock. But the i30 nameplate is set to continue when the next-generation sedan launches next year, but likely not on a hatchback.